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Gay Seattle

Gay Seattle

With a towering skyline set against a backdrop of spectacular mountain peaks, Seattle is one of those cities recognizable at a glance. Its urban pleasures rival those of most cities. The cultural scene includes the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, plays, musicals and alternative productions at the city's many theaters, the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet companies at Seattle Center, and a lively club and jazz scene all around the city.
Outdoors activities such as biking, hiking, skiing, camping and boating are popular, and many locals head out of town on weekends and holidays.

Neighborhoods
Capitol Hill around Broadway, Pine and Pike streets is where most gay bars and businesses are located. Here you'll find plenty of coffee shops and restaurants, many with sidewalk tables. To the north, Volunteer Park is full of strollers, Frisbee players and those seeking a quiet place to read. Everything on the hill is within walking distance, so park the car and explore on foot.

Getting hereSea-Tac Airport is served by two dozen domestic and international carriers. Sound Transit Central Link Light Rail links between Westlake and SeaTac Airport, with connections to and from downtown stations that take just over half an hour, with departures every 8-15 minutes. King County Metro Transit buses depart from the same Link Light Rail Station - take the walkway from the Airport Parking Garage fourth floor and exit to International Boulevard.

The Amtrak Cascades train links Eugene OR (Eugene Station), Portland OR (Union Station) and Seattle WA (King Street Station) to Vancouver BC (Pacific Central Station), a trip of about 12 hours, five times a day. Coast Starlight trains connect Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as cities along the way, including San Francisco.

For intercity coach/bus travel in and out of Seattle, see BoltBus (Portland and Vancouver), GoToBus (Vancouver), Greyhound (USA national), and QuickCoach (Vancouver & SeaTac).

Getting around

Since the majority of visitors spend most of their time downtown and on Capitol Hill, a brisk walk, short taxi or Lyft ride will usually do the trick. King County Metro Transit buses, trolleys, streetcars and a water taxi can also get you around. Fares are $2.75. Use the ORCA Card to pay your fare - it works like cash or a pass, and lets you transfer between the bus, Link light rail, Sounder, the Seattle streetcar and the King County Water Taxi. Buy online, at ticket vending machines or retail stores (see link).

The number 99 bus is useful downtown along waterfront - from Broad Street through Belltown to Pioneer Square with stops at the waterfront, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Aquarium before returning northbound by way of 1st Avenue. The number 10 runs down 15th Ave and E Pine on Capitol Hill, to downtown 2nd Ave, then returns to the Hill by way of Pike St. The Monorail, at $2.50 per trip, runs every 10 minutes from Seattle Center (location of the Space Needle) to Westlake Center Mall.

The Seattle Streetcar system First Hill line connects Denny Way, along Broadway on Capitol Hill, to Pioneer Square, downtown by way of South Jackson Street for $2.25 single rides, or $4.50 day passes.

The University Link Extension of Sound Transit Light Rail, extended the Central Link southward from the University of Washington to downtown Seattle and beyond to SeaTac Airport and Angle Lake. The underground Capitol Hill Station is located beneath E Denny Way, just east of Broadway.

City-wide bike lanes and green initiatives have made this city quite bicycle friendly. Bike share in Seattle is run by two private vendors: Jump, wth pedal-assist electric bikes, and Lime, with electric scooters and smart bikes. See the SDOT site for news and updates. A number of area shops, including PedalAnywhereSeattle offer weekly rentals and free delivery in Seattle and Eastside.

Media, Resources, Big Events

Seattle Gay News, (SGN), has been among the best gay newspapers anywhere for 43 years. Their website also has a 12-year archive of back issues.

NarkMagazine covers the interests, and features the party photography of DJ Nark (aka Kevin Kauer), the promoter of crazy-glamorous new club nights around Seattle.

The Stranger is gay-friendly, informative, sometimes-feather-ruffling weekly alternative newspaper, with listings for most everything you need to know -- including their guide to Recreational Weed Stores of Seattle, now the stuff is legal.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Abbey of St. Joan educate the public on safer sex issues, fight for queer rights and visibility, address women’s issues and the needs of homeless youth, and support other community organizations that share their vision.

For a city map and website links to businesses, museums, and entertainment venues, see our gay Seattle listings pages. For some photos from around town, see our gallery pages. We also list some upcoming local events and activities.